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The StitchDB blog
Guides, comparisons and migrations for app backends on Postgres.
Aiven for PostgreSQL Alternatives: What Fits Small Apps
Aiven alternatives for PostgreSQL in 2026: options with point-in-time recovery on cheap plans, built-in pooling, branching or a full backend, with prices.
Appwrite Alternatives in 2026: Postgres, Documents, Self-Host
Appwrite alternatives sorted by why you are switching: SQL, GraphQL, documents or lighter self-hosting. StitchDB, Supabase, Nhost, Firebase, Convex compared.
Auth0 Alternatives in 2026 - 7 Options Compared
The best Auth0 alternatives in 2026, compared on free MAU, paid pricing, SSO and where user data lives. Clerk, WorkOS, Firebase, Supabase, Keycloak and more.
AWS Amplify Alternatives: Backends Without Stitching AWS Services
AWS Amplify alternatives for backends and hosting: StitchDB, Supabase, Firebase and Appwrite compared on data model, auth, pricing and migration effort.
AWS RDS Alternatives for Small Teams (Postgres, 2026)
RDS alternatives for small teams: what a small RDS Postgres really costs, what you still have to build, and managed Postgres options with simpler pricing.
Back4App and Parse Alternatives: Where Parse Apps Go Next
Back4App alternatives for Parse apps: self-hosted Parse Server, StitchDB, Supabase, Firebase and Appwrite, plus a map from Parse classes to Postgres tables.
Best Backend as a Service Platforms in 2026
The best backend as a service (BaaS) platforms in 2026: Firebase, Supabase, Appwrite, Convex, Nhost, PocketBase and StitchDB, by data model, price and fit.
Best Firebase Alternatives in 2026 (Compared)
The best Firebase alternatives in 2026 compared on database model, pricing, free tiers, offline support and lock-in, plus when Firebase is still the right pick.
Best Neon Postgres Alternatives in 2026
Neon alternatives compared for 2026: always-on vs serverless Postgres, flat vs usage pricing, branching, backups and backend features, with real prices.
Best PlanetScale Alternatives in 2026 (Free and Paid)
PlanetScale alternatives for 2026 compared: free tiers, Postgres vs MySQL, branching, backups and pricing, plus when PlanetScale is still the best choice.
Best Supabase Alternatives in 2026 (Compared)
The best Supabase alternatives in 2026 compared on price, free tier, Postgres features and lock-in, with honest notes on when Supabase is still the best pick.
Clerk Alternatives - When to Move Auth Into Your Backend
Looking for Clerk alternatives? Compare Auth0, WorkOS, Supabase Auth, Firebase Auth, Better Auth and StitchDB on price, features and where users live.
Cloudinary Alternatives for App Images (Cheaper Options)
Cloudinary alternatives for resizing and serving app images: ImageKit, Cloudflare Images, imgproxy, Supabase and StitchDB Storage, with November 2026 pricing.
CockroachDB Alternatives After the 2026 Pricing Change
CockroachDB alternatives for teams that don't need a distributed SQL cluster: managed Postgres, serverless Postgres and backends, with prices as of Nov 2026.
Convex Alternatives: SQL and Realtime Without Per-Seat Pricing
Convex alternatives compared: StitchDB, Supabase, Firebase, Appwrite and PocketBase on realtime, TypeScript, SQL access and pricing for growing teams.
DigitalOcean Managed Postgres Alternatives in 2026
DigitalOcean managed database alternatives for Postgres: more connections, free tiers, branching or a full backend, compared with real prices and limits.
Fauna Alternatives After the Shutdown: Picking a Durable Home
Fauna shut down on May 30, 2025. Compare Fauna alternatives (Convex, StitchDB, Supabase, Neon, Firebase, MongoDB Atlas) and pick one you can always leave.
Firebase Auth Alternatives for Web and Mobile Apps
The best Firebase Auth alternatives in 2026, with limits, pricing and code. Compare Supabase, StitchDB, Clerk, Auth0 and WorkOS for web, mobile and Flutter.
Firebase Storage Alternatives Now That Spark Lost Storage
Cloud Storage for Firebase now needs the Blaze plan. Compare Firebase Storage alternatives: StitchDB Storage, Supabase Storage, Cloudflare R2, Appwrite and S3.
Hasura Alternatives: GraphQL on Postgres in 2026
Hasura alternatives for GraphQL on Postgres: pg_graphql on StitchDB and Supabase, PostGraphile, Nhost and plain REST. When you need an engine vs a backend.
Heroku Postgres Alternatives in 2026: Prices and Trade-offs
Looking for a Heroku Postgres alternative? Compare Essential and Standard plans with StitchDB, Render, Neon, Supabase and RDS on price, limits and backups.
MongoDB Atlas Alternatives for App Backends in 2026
MongoDB Atlas alternatives for apps that used App Services, Device Sync or the Data API: Postgres backends, Firebase and Appwrite compared on sync and auth.
Nhost Alternatives: Keep Postgres, Choose Your API Style
Nhost alternatives for Postgres apps compared on GraphQL, permissions, free tier pausing, pricing and self-hosting: StitchDB, Supabase, Hasura and more.
Open Source Firebase Alternatives: Licenses and Self-Hosting
Open source Firebase alternatives compared by license, database and real self-hosting effort: Supabase, Appwrite, PocketBase, Nhost, Parse Server and Convex.
PocketBase Alternatives for When You Outgrow One Server
PocketBase alternatives for when one server is not enough: managed Postgres, replicas, backups and team workflows. StitchDB, Supabase, Appwrite, Nhost, Convex.
Pusher Alternatives for Realtime Apps (2026 Pricing)
Pusher alternatives compared on connections, messages and price: Ably, PubNub, Socket.IO, Firebase, Supabase Realtime and StitchDB Realtime with DB changes.
Railway Postgres Alternatives: Managed Options for 2026
Railway Postgres alternatives compared: backups, PITR, pooling, pricing and regions on StitchDB, Neon, Supabase, Render and DigitalOcean (November 2026).
Render Postgres Alternatives (Free Tier That Doesn't Expire)
Render Postgres alternatives for 2026: free databases that don't expire after 30 days, point-in-time recovery, pooling and flat pricing, with real limits.
Turso Alternatives - SQLite, Postgres and Edge Options
Turso alternatives in 2026 after the Supabase deal: Cloudflare D1, self-hosted SQLite, PocketBase, Neon, StitchDB and Supabase, with pricing and trade-offs.
Vercel Postgres Alternatives After the Move to Neon
Vercel Postgres is no longer available. Compare Vercel Postgres alternatives for Next.js: Neon, Supabase, StitchDB, Prisma Postgres and Aurora, with code.
Xata Alternatives After Xata Lite: Branching Postgres and More
Xata alternatives in 2026: Xata Lite is retired and Xata is now branching Postgres. Compare StitchDB, Neon, Supabase and Xata on branching and features.
BaaS Pricing Compared (2026) - Real Monthly Costs Worked Out
Backend as a service pricing compared with worked examples: StitchDB, Supabase, Appwrite, Convex, Nhost and Firebase at two app sizes, plus spend caps.
Clerk vs Auth0 vs Built-in Auth - Cost at 10k, 50k, 100k Users
Clerk vs Auth0 compared on price at real user counts, B2B features, SSO and developer experience, plus when built-in backend auth beats both. Nov 2026 prices.
Firebase vs Appwrite - Google Cloud or Open Source Backend
Firebase vs Appwrite in 2026: databases, auth, storage, functions, pricing, self-hosting and lock-in, with current free tiers and a clear pick for each app.
Neon vs PlanetScale in 2026: Serverless or Always-On Postgres
Neon vs PlanetScale compared: architecture, free tier, pricing, branching, HA, sharding and clouds, and which managed Postgres service fits your workload.
StitchDB vs Appwrite: Postgres Backend or Open Source API?
StitchDB vs Appwrite: Postgres and RLS vs Appwrite permissions, Deno vs many function runtimes, pricing tiers, self-hosting and regions, compared honestly.
StitchDB vs AWS Amplify: One Project or Five AWS Services?
StitchDB vs AWS Amplify: the developer workflow, DynamoDB vs Postgres, Cognito vs built-in auth, how each bill is built, regions, and when Amplify wins.
StitchDB vs AWS RDS for Postgres: A Practical Comparison
AWS RDS vs StitchDB for Postgres: day-one setup, security model, backups, scaling, pricing and regions, plus the cases where RDS is the better choice.
StitchDB vs Convex: Postgres and SQL or Reactive TypeScript?
StitchDB vs Convex, built side by side: the same chat feature on both, plus data model, reactivity, pricing per developer vs flat plans, and portability.
StitchDB vs Firebase: Postgres or Firestore for Your App?
StitchDB vs Firebase compared on data model, Security Rules vs RLS, offline sync, push, analytics, pricing and lock-in. Which backend fits your app best?
StitchDB vs Heroku Postgres: Plans, Backups and Migration
Heroku Postgres vs StitchDB: plan-by-plan pricing, connections, rollback vs point-in-time recovery, followers vs replicas, and how to move your database.
StitchDB vs MongoDB Atlas: Postgres or MongoDB for Your App?
MongoDB Atlas vs Postgres for app backends: documents vs jsonb, queries, transactions, scaling, the deprecated App Services layer and pricing compared.
StitchDB vs Neon: Always-On Backend or Serverless Postgres
Neon vs StitchDB for 2026: scale to zero vs always-on, usage vs flat pricing, branching, backups, auth and regions, with costs for three traffic patterns.
StitchDB vs Nhost: Two Postgres Backends, Different API Layers
StitchDB vs Nhost: two Postgres backends with different API layers. Hasura GraphQL vs REST and pg_graphql, functions, free tiers, recovery and pricing.
StitchDB vs PlanetScale: Backend Platform or Database Service
PlanetScale vs StitchDB: HA Postgres and Vitess clusters versus Postgres with Auth, APIs and Storage. Pricing, free tiers, branching, regions, trade-offs.
StitchDB vs PocketBase: Managed Postgres or One Go Binary?
StitchDB vs PocketBase: SQLite in one binary on your server vs managed Postgres per project. Compare operations work, access rules, functions, cost and fit.
StitchDB vs Railway: Where Should Your Database Live?
Railway vs StitchDB: an app platform with a Postgres template versus a managed Postgres backend. Pricing, backups, pooling, regions and using both together.
StitchDB vs Render Postgres: Six Questions That Decide It
Render Postgres vs StitchDB: free tier expiry, storage pricing, backups, connections, regions and what's included beyond the database, with real numbers.
StitchDB vs Supabase: Pricing, Features and Compatibility
StitchDB vs Supabase compared: same open APIs and client libraries, different pricing, backups, regions and free-tier rules. Where each one really wins.
StitchDB vs Xata: Branching Postgres or a Full Backend?
StitchDB vs Xata: copy-on-write branches vs migration-built preview branches, data masking, instance pricing vs flat plans, and BYOC vs managed EU hosting.
Supabase vs Appwrite - SQL Platform or All-in-One API?
Supabase vs Appwrite in 2026: data model, permissions, auth, functions, hosting, self-hosting and pricing per project, with honest picks for each kind of app.
Supabase vs Convex - SQL Database or Reactive TypeScript?
Supabase vs Convex for developers: Postgres and SQL vs TypeScript functions and reactive queries. Data model, realtime, pricing, lock-in and when to pick each.
Supabase vs Firebase in 2026 - Which Backend to Pick
Supabase vs Firebase compared on data model, auth, realtime, storage, pricing and lock-in, with current free tiers and code. Plus where a third option fits.
Supabase vs Neon in 2026: Backend Platform vs Serverless Postgres
Supabase vs Neon compared for 2026: pricing, free tiers, branching, backups, auth and APIs, scale to zero and regions, with a clear guide on which to choose.
Supabase vs PlanetScale: Which Fits Your App in 2026?
Supabase vs PlanetScale compared: backend platform vs high-performance database, free tiers, pricing, HA, branching, Postgres vs MySQL and what you build.
Supabase vs PocketBase - Postgres Platform or One-File Backend
Supabase vs PocketBase compared: Postgres vs SQLite, hosting, scaling, auth, realtime, extending with code, and costs. Which backend fits your next project?
Firebase to Postgres Migration: A Practical Plan
A practical Firebase to Postgres migration plan: model Firestore documents as tables, export data and users, turn Security Rules into RLS and cut over safely.
How to Migrate from Supabase to StitchDB (Step by Step)
Migrate from Supabase to StitchDB with a live copy: database, auth users with passwords, files, Edge Functions and settings, then switch over in seconds.
Migrate from Neon to StitchDB with a Live Copy
Migrate from Neon to StitchDB: enable logical replication, use the direct connection string, run a live copy, verify every table and switch over in seconds.
Migrate Heroku Postgres to a New Host Without Surprises
How to migrate Heroku Postgres: plan the downtime window, copy with an import wizard or pg_dump and pg_restore, verify row counts, then switch DATABASE_URL.
MySQL to Postgres Migration: Moving Off PlanetScale (Vitess)
A MySQL to Postgres migration guide for PlanetScale Vitess users: dump the data, convert with pgloader, fix types and queries, add foreign keys and cut over.
Android Backend for Kotlin Apps: Postgres, Auth and Push
Build an Android backend for Kotlin apps: Gradle setup, coroutine queries, deep link sign-in, realtime Flows, FCM push and Google Play Billing checks.
Crash Reporting and Analytics Built Into Your App Backend
Add crash reporting and analytics to web, Flutter, Android and iOS apps from your backend: issues, regressions, source maps, funnels, data in Postgres.
Database Branching for Preview Environments
Database branching gives every pull request its own database. Learn the approaches, how to seed or mask data, a GitHub workflow, and how merges should work.
Edge Functions: A Practical Guide with Real Examples
A practical guide to edge functions: Deno handlers, secrets, JWT checks, webhooks, scheduled runs, CPU limits and deploys from CI, with code that runs as is.
EU Hosted Backend as a Service: How to Choose One
Choosing an EU hosted backend as a service: what EU hosting covers, which parts of a backend must stay in region, options compared, latency and a buyer's checklist.
Feature Flags Without Another Vendor: Rollouts in Your Backend
Run feature flags and remote config from your backend: targeting by plan and app version, stable percentage rollouts, undo, request budgets and a DIY option.
File Upload Storage for Web and Mobile Apps, Done Right
A guide to file upload storage for web and mobile apps: buckets, per-user policies, signed URLs, resumable uploads, image resizing, caching and plan limits.
Flutter Backend: Postgres, Auth, Storage and Push for Apps
A Flutter backend with Postgres, deep link sign-in, live streams, file storage, push and in-app purchases, with Dart code for each step and honest trade-offs.
GDPR Database Hosting: What an EU-Friendly Setup Needs
GDPR database hosting explained for developers: what the law actually requires, EU regions vs transfers, DPAs, backups, erasure and a practical checklist.
In-App Purchase Validation on the Server: iOS and Android
In-app purchase validation on the server: check App Store and Google Play purchases, track renewals and refunds, and gate content with entitlements in SQL.
iOS Backend for Swift Apps: Postgres, Auth and StoreKit
An iOS backend for SwiftUI apps: Swift Package setup, Codable queries, Sign in with Apple, keychain sessions, APNs push and StoreKit 2 checks on the server.
JWT Authentication Explained for App Developers
JWT authentication explained: token structure, claims, signing, access and refresh tokens, where to store them, server-side verification and mistakes to avoid.
Next.js Backend: Postgres, Auth and Storage in One Project
Build a Next.js backend with a hosted Postgres database, sign-in, file uploads and server routes. Real App Router code, key handling and RLS policies.
Passwordless Authentication: Magic Links, Codes and Passkeys
Passwordless authentication compared: magic links, one-time codes, SMS and passkeys. How each works, security and UX trade-offs, code examples and a rollout plan.
Python Postgres Backend: SDK, SQLAlchemy and FastAPI
Use a hosted Python Postgres backend three ways: the stitchdb SDK, a direct connection with psycopg or SQLAlchemy, and FastAPI with per-user access and RLS.
React Authentication: Add Sign-In to a React App
Add React authentication with e-mail and password, magic links, OAuth and MFA. A session hook, protected routes and database rules that keep data private.
React Native Backend for Expo Apps: Auth, Data and Push
Set up a React Native backend for Expo: sessions in AsyncStorage, OAuth through deep links, Postgres queries with RLS, uploads, push tokens and purchase checks.
Spend Cap vs Budget Alerts: Avoid Surprise Backend Bills
How a spend cap differs from budget alerts, what Firebase, AWS, Supabase and StitchDB actually stop, and a practical checklist to avoid surprise backend bills.
SQL vs NoSQL for Mobile and Web Apps - A Practical Guide
SQL vs NoSQL for app developers: the same app modeled in Postgres and in a document database, with queries, offline sync, security and a decision checklist.
Stripe Postgres Sync: Subscriptions in Your Own Database
Use Stripe Postgres sync to keep subscriptions, prices and invoices in your database, gate features with RLS, and skip writing your own webhook handler.
Dedicated vs Shared Postgres Hosting: When to Upgrade
Dedicated Postgres server vs shared hosting: how each works, noisy neighbors, signs you need dedicated compute, cost math, and how to move without downtime.
Free Postgres Hosting in 2026 - Every Free Tier Compared
Free Postgres hosting compared: Neon, Supabase, StitchDB, Prisma Postgres, Aiven and Render. Storage, pausing, expiry, backups and the catch in each free tier.
Multi-Tenant Postgres for SaaS: Patterns That Scale
Multi tenant Postgres for SaaS compared: shared tables with tenant_id and RLS, schema per tenant, database per tenant, with SQL, indexes and migration tips.
Point in Time Recovery for Postgres: How It Works
Point in time recovery for Postgres explained: base backups plus WAL, a self-hosted recovery example, managed PITR, single-table restores and a recovery runbook.
Postgres Backup Best Practices for App Teams
Postgres backup best practices: logical vs physical backups, PITR, the 3-2-1 rule, pg_dump flags that matter, retention, encryption and monthly restore drills.
Postgres Connection Pooling Explained (Session vs Transaction)
Postgres connection pooling explained: why connections are expensive, session vs transaction mode, what breaks in each, pool sizing math and serverless setups.
Postgres Full Text Search, Fuzzy Matching and Semantic Search
Build Postgres full text search step by step: tsvector columns, GIN indexes, ranking, typo-tolerant pg_trgm, the REST API and hybrid search by meaning.
Postgres GraphQL API Without Running a GraphQL Server
Get a Postgres GraphQL API from your schema with pg_graphql: turn it on, query collections, run mutations, page with cursors and keep RLS in charge of access.
Postgres Realtime: Listen to Database Changes in Your App
Postgres realtime options compared: LISTEN/NOTIFY, logical replication and managed change streams, with code to subscribe to inserts, updates and deletes safely.
Postgres REST API: Instant Endpoints from Your Schema
How a Postgres REST API generated from your schema works: filters, joins, upserts, RPC, Row Level Security, paging, rate limits and when to add your own code.
Postgres Row Level Security: A Practical Guide
Postgres row level security explained with real policies: USING vs WITH CHECK, permissive vs restrictive, teams, performance tips, testing and common mistakes.
Postgres Security Checklist for App Developers (2026)
A Postgres security checklist for app developers: connections and TLS, roles, Row Level Security, functions and views, secrets, API keys, monitoring and backups.
Postgres vs MySQL in 2026 - Differences That Matter for Apps
Postgres vs MySQL compared for app developers in 2026: data types, JSON, transactions, security, extensions, replication, hosting and which one to pick.
Serverless Postgres Explained - Scale to Zero, Drivers, Costs
What serverless Postgres means, how scale to zero, pooling and HTTP drivers work, cold starts on Neon and Aurora, and when an always-on database costs less.
When to Add Postgres Read Replicas (and When Not To)
When Postgres read replicas help and when they don't: signs you need one, replication lag, read-your-writes, routing reads, costs and cheaper fixes to try first.
AI Agent Database Access: How to Let Agents Write Safely
Give an AI agent database access without handing over the keys: a Postgres role per agent, a SQL firewall, human approvals, query logs and session undo.
MCP Postgres Server: Connect Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor
Set up an MCP Postgres server for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, Cursor, VS Code and the OpenAI API, with scoped tokens and a safe read-only mode.
pgvector Guide: Build AI Search and RAG in Postgres
A hands-on pgvector guide: store embeddings, pick a distance operator, add HNSW or IVFFlat indexes, query with Row Level Security and build RAG in Postgres.
Undo Database Changes Made by an AI Agent, Step by Step
How to undo database changes an AI agent made: session revert with dry runs and conflicts, plus when to use change history, the recycle bin or a PITR restore.